GAMING RAIDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 251, 23 October 1944, Page 2

GAMING RAIDS

TWO MEN CAUGHT

FINES OF £100 AND £75

Appearing voluntarily before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., in the Police. Court this morning two men, Sydney Eddowes (Mr. J. Terry) and William John McCrae (Mr. George Skelton), pleaded guiltx to charges of using premises as common gaming houses on Saturday.

Detective-Sergeant Trethewey said that at 2.45 on Saturday afternoon Detectives Mahood and Duncan searched, under warrant, an office occupied by Eddowes which was fitted up for bookmaking. Eddowes was apparently in a big way of business. He had been before the Court on tVo previous occasions for a breach of the Gaming Act, the last occasion being in 1939. On defendant's behalf, Mr. Terry said Eddowes was a returned soldier from the last war and did not enjoy good health. He had been 'honest in all his transactions.

The magistrate imposed a fine of £100. His First Breach Concerning McCrae, the prosecuting detective-sergeant said this defendant's office was raided by Detectives Cromwell and Miller on Saturday afternoon. Although it was McjCraes' first breach of the Gaming Act he admitted to the police that he had been carrying on as a bookmaker for four years.

Mr. Skelton pointed out that McCrae's first breach of the Gaming his own account for the last six months. He had always been honest and met all his commitments.

"Although it is his first offence he appears to be in a big way of business," said M.r. Levien in fining defendant £75.